The Supreme Court has expressed surprise over the non-filing of replies by 20 states in the matter of an increase in salary and allowances and pension of judicial officers. The second National Judicial Pay Commission had recommended increasing the salaries of these officers. The Supreme Court said that the Chief Secretaries will be summoned if there is further delay in the matter.
A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde issued notice to Attorney General KK Venugopal after the senior advocate and Amicus curiae PS Narasimha's help to these law officers was an important matter. The bench said that 20 states have not yet responded to this matter.
The Supreme Court held that the matter is of fundamental importance to the subordinate judiciary and that its trial cannot be held indefinitely. The Commission had filed its final report in the matter on 29 January this year. The Supreme Court has also extended the term of Justice PV Reddy, Chairman of this Commission, to 31 January next year.